Friends,
As we step fully into 2025, I find myself reflecting on where we stand as a nation—and where we must go to ensure a future of opportunity, justice, and shared prosperity.
I founded E Pluribus Unum in 2018 to meet moments like this, and we are ready. Under the leadership of Executive Director Scott Hutcheson, EPU has become a powerful force for change, equipping leaders across the South with tools and resources to support communities that are strong and inclusive. Our latest annual report, Progress with Purpose, highlights the impact of this work.
Now, as I return as President of EPU, I am ready to stand alongside my team and you all once again. This is not a moment to wait and see—it is a moment to act. This year, EPU will build on the foundation we’ve laid, deepening relationships, advancing strategies that drive meaningful change, and ensuring that our voices break through the noise.
Our work is not just about responding to political shifts; it is about shaping the future. This is a time of great change, but also of great opportunity.
I look forward to our work ahead.
With gratitude,
Mitch Landrieu
Founder and President, E Pluribus Unum
2024 marked a turning point for EPU as we continued to refine and focus our programming. What sets EPU apart is our deep, data-driven understanding of the American South and its people, combined with our commitment to applying behavioral science in ways that drive measurable progress.
One of our most important lessons in 2024, though challenging, was the realization that true, transformative results require engaging two levers of change simultaneously. By addressing both individual behaviors and the larger context in which they operate, we aim to create a sense of connection, understanding, and progress that uplifts entire communities and the individuals within them.
In 2024, we worked toward this vision:
• 49 Unum Fellows are either leading or launching impactful community-focused initiatives with the support of our team of policy advisors and learning partners.
• 2 new cohorts of our Unum Academy launched, bringing together Southern college students from 12 states to cultivate the next generation of collaborative, compassionate leaders.
• Over 60 community organizations, academic institutions, faith-based groups, and government-affiliated programs are working toward connection and opportunity for all through our Unum Alliance.
Our new podcast, Reimagining Us, co-hosted by EPU’s Eminent Scholar Dr. Nichole Argo and EPU Executive Director Scott Hutcheson, has quickly become an invaluable resource for audiences looking to bridge divides in their communities by exploring the science behind human behavior as a tool to address polarization.
This is just a snapshot of EPU’s work and success in 2024. Through every program and initiative, EPU is striving to build a South—and a nation—where fairness, opportunity, and a shared sense of belonging are a reality for all.
Click below to discover the full impact EPU has had across the American South this past year and what’s ahead for the organization in 2025!
Reimagining Us is not just another conversation series—it’s a vital tool for healing divisions, designing our lives and communities for belonging, and empowering a movement of “builders.” Hosted by two distinguished leaders from the fields of psychology and equity-building, EPU Eminent Scholar and Founder of TogetherUp Dr. Nichole Argo and EPU Executive Director Scott Hutcheson, the show takes a nuanced look at the forces that fuel division and highlights actionable paths toward reconnection. As the nation navigates a post-election landscape rife with challenges, Reimagining Us offers a timely and necessary space for discovery, dialogue, and change.
Download and listen today!
Unum Fellow and Founder of the Georgia nonprofit, Girl + Environment, "is tackling environmental and racial justice one step at a time," according to a new feature piece from The Bitter Southerner. Read about how Spratling's work in Georgia is making big impact through "small moments of change" below!
Diamond Spratling's work as an Unum Fellow and Nonprofit leader illustrates how EPU's support in communities across the South adds up to great impact overall - creating a region where everyone is able to live prosperously.
EPU cultivates and accelerates courageous leaders across the American South through our Unum Fellowship accelerator program, equipping them with tools, programs, and support to advance opportunity within their communities.
Applications for our 2025 Unum Fellows Cohort are OPEN! This year, we’re focusing on local elected leaders – mayors, county commissioners, city council members, and more.
Eligible applicants must represent a community in the American South and serve in office through December 2026.
Bring in the new year with change! Click below to apply today, applications close March 2.
In February, the EPU team traveled to Macon, GA, joining Wesleyan College for their annual Discovery Day!
During the event our team had the incredible opportunity to lead breakout sessions, fireside chats, and discussions on important issues across the South with students and staff.
We’re grateful for the chance to connect, learn, and inspire action together with these fantastic young leaders!
Also in February, Executive Director Scott Hutcheson and the EPU Engagement team met with the Committee for Justice, Equality, and Fairness (CJEF) of Walton County, a member of the Unum Alliance.
The meeting took place in DeFuniak Springs, FL, the county seat and the location of a memorial monument that the group hopes to relocate. During the meeting, Scott led a discussion about the key questions and considerations that should shape their approach to this initiative. The group plans to use insights gained from focus groups conducted in partnership with EPU to develop a new strategy for their work.
As members of the Unum Alliance CJEF will continue working with EPU to further develop their strategy and make progress towards their goals.
Along with creating new narratives around race and equity through our own programming, EPU wants to be a source of amplification for narrative work happening in the broader media landscape. See our recommendations below!
Almost a full century after the end of World War II, new stories about the quiet heroism of everyday individuals continue to come to light. Now Tyler Perry is tackling the war with his new film The Six Triple Eight, the story of the war’s only Women’s Army Corps unit of color, which stars Kerry Washington.
The Fire Inside is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.
Questions? Contact us at info@unumfund.org.
